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Cumberland

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D

Cumberland, WI

Unfriendly To Investors

Cumberland, Wisconsin skyline

STR Regulations for Cumberland, Wisconsin

Overview

  • Are short‑term rentals allowed in Cumberland, WI? Explicitly no. Cumberland has prohibited short‑term rentals in its zoning ordinance; they are not permitted uses and there is no special use permit path. Additionally, a city Facebook post confirms the city recently amended ordinances specifically addressing short‑term rentals, which aligns with the explicit prohibition.

Note on sources

  • The Cumberland Facebook notice indicates STR ordinance amendments, but the post is behind a login. The explicit prohibition is reported and confirmed by a local news article. Where possible, we cite that source.

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market Given Cumberland’s explicit prohibition, a short‑term rental (e.g., Airbnb/VRBO style) cannot be legally initiated in the City of Cumberland at present. The city chose to disallow STRs rather than allow them through special or conditional use permits.

Alternatives that remain compliant

  • Operate as a traditional long‑term rental (typically 30 days or more per tenancy).
  • Investigate adjacent municipalities that may allow STRs with local licensing or zoning approvals.
  • If you own or plan to acquire property in Cumberland, confirm the zoning designation and consult with city planning/zoning staff to confirm the STR prohibition remains in effect before committing capital.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

  • For long‑term rental operations (30+ days):
    • Business license/registration: Confirm current requirements with the City Clerk. Wisconsin municipalities may require annual business licenses for rental housing operations.
    • Rental housing inspection: Verify whether a rental inspection, lead‑based paint disclosure (for pre‑1978 properties), and related health/safety certifications are required.
    • Building code and safety: Ensure compliance with applicable state and local codes for residential occupancy (e.g., smoke/CO alarms, egress, basic habitability standards).
    • Tax registration: If collecting transient occupancy taxes is not applicable, confirm sales and use tax obligations for any related services through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
  • For short‑term rentals:
    • Not permitted under current City of Cumberland zoning; therefore no approvals are available.

Specific regulations: city, county, and state City of Cumberland (Wisconsin)

  • Short‑term rentals are prohibited in the zoning ordinance; no special or conditional use permits are available for STR use.

County (Cumberland is in Barron County)

  • Barron County does not appear to have a county‑wide STR licensing or tax regime. County regulations are generally limited to health and safety for public accommodations and certain lodging businesses, which do not apply to prohibited STRs.

State of Wisconsin

  • Occupancy taxes (transient occupancy tax or room tax) may apply to lodging businesses depending on local adoption. Since STRs are not permitted in Cumberland, a STR operator would not be legally positioned to collect or remit any such tax. For long‑term rentals, typical state income and sales/use tax guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue applies to any services provided.
  • Short‑term rental statutes in Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 66.0615 (2023) set rules for registration, penalties, and local authority, but local municipalities may further regulate STRs. In Cumberland’s case, STRs are explicitly prohibited.

Regulatory contacts

Action checklist if you are a property owner in or near Cumberland, Wisconsin

  • Verify use type: Confirm that any planned rental is long‑term tenancy (≥30 days).
  • Confirm licensing: Contact the City Clerk to confirm current business license and rental inspection requirements.
  • Review zoning: Confirm the property’s zoning district allows the intended use; STR remains prohibited.
  • Establish tax compliance: Coordinate with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue if any taxable services apply; room tax only applies to lodging businesses and is generally administered locally.
  • Monitor ordinance changes: Periodically review the City of Cumberland’s municipal code and website for any updates to STR regulations or zoning.

Links to source pages (if available)

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Cumberland?

Cumberland hosts earn a median $27,381/year with $286 ADR and 43% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $33,445+ per year.

See the full Cumberland market breakdown

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Cumberland

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
5/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Cumberland Market Analysis

Photos of Cumberland

Overview of Cumberland

Cumberland is a small city of approximately 2,300 residents in Barron County, in the lake country of northwestern Wisconsin. The community is nicknamed the "Island City" because its historic downtown sits on a piece of land where Beaver Dam Lake and the Hay River meet, lending the town a distinctive sense of place and water on nearly every side. Cumberland serves as a quiet gateway to the broader network of lakes, forests, and farmland that define this corner of Wisconsin, and it sits roughly 90 miles northeast of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, making it a feasible drive-in destination for weekenders from the Twin Cities metro.

The defining feature of the immediate area is the water itself. Beaver Dam Lake and the adjoining chain of smaller lakes are part of the reason the town developed where it did, and they continue to draw visitors who come for fishing, paddling, and swimming. A network of public access points and lakeside parks makes it easy for short-term guests to spend a morning on the water and still be back in town for lunch. The Hay River, which threads through the community, is also a quiet draw for kayakers and canoeists looking for a slow, scenic float.

A short drive north brings travelers to Spooner, a small Washburn County town long associated with the annual Spooner Rodeo and the surrounding Namekagon River watershed, part of the broader St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. To the southwest, Rice Lake — the largest community in Barron County and home to a similarly well-known fishery — adds a wider selection of restaurants, shops, and a regional hospital within about a half-hour drive. Hayward, recognized as a hub for fishing, ATV trails, and the Paul Bunyan-themed attractions of the north woods, lies roughly an hour to the north.

The surrounding landscape of Barron County is a patchwork of glacial lakes, dairy farms, and wooded ridges, much of it threaded by segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. For visitors who prefer quiet to crowds, this stretch of Wisconsin offers an unhurried alternative to the more heavily marketed lake regions to the east, and Cumberland's small-town character makes it a natural fit for travelers who want a comfortable place to come back to at the end of the day.

For short-term rental owners, Cumberland offers an appealing combination: a recognizable identity as the "Island City," reliable four-season outdoor appeal anchored by multiple lakes, a steady draw from the Twin Cities roughly 90 miles away, and easy day-trip access to other destinations across northwestern Wisconsin. It is the kind of place where a well-located rental near the water can serve anglers in summer, hunters in fall, and snowmobilers in winter, with a downtown that is small but walkable and a pace of life that keeps guests coming back.

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